Hello all, Am familiar with the Cat 310 and 30MKll and am looking at obtaining one of them. Can anyone provide actual data andor experience with either model vs the other regarding sailing in light air (5 - 12 knots). I would prefer a crusing boat that can really move it's rear it light air without sacrificing stability or control in stronger conditions. IE: a big version of the Capri 26. Even a suggestion of another manufacturer in this size. Thanks
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Catalina 310
I have a Catalina 310 and she is a tad beamy and not really a performance boat. Doesn't move it's butt in light air. Not one I would chose for racing.
I have a Catalina 310 and she is a tad beamy and not really a performance boat. Doesn't move it's butt in light air. Not one I would chose for racing.
Cruising Boat Really
moving it's butt in light air? Most Catalina's are heavier than other makes of the same length. Most boats that can really move their butt in light winds have to reef sooner as the wind picks up. In the 30 foot range the old J 30 comes to mind, but I'm not familiar with the interior amenities for cruising.
moving it's butt in light air? Most Catalina's are heavier than other makes of the same length. Most boats that can really move their butt in light winds have to reef sooner as the wind picks up. In the 30 foot range the old J 30 comes to mind, but I'm not familiar with the interior amenities for cruising.
tall rig for light air
I own a Catalina 30 tall rig, with bowsprit. This is a good boat for light air, as the tall rig and bowsprit permit significantly larger sail area. But it is too heavy a boat for VERY light air. It will, however, satisfy your other wish for stability in heavier air. Make sure you get the fin keel (not the wing keel or shoal keel) if you intend to do any racing. Catalina 30's are good club racers, but are really cruising boats.
I own a Catalina 30 tall rig, with bowsprit. This is a good boat for light air, as the tall rig and bowsprit permit significantly larger sail area. But it is too heavy a boat for VERY light air. It will, however, satisfy your other wish for stability in heavier air. Make sure you get the fin keel (not the wing keel or shoal keel) if you intend to do any racing. Catalina 30's are good club racers, but are really cruising boats.
tall rig for light air
I own a Catalina 30 tall rig, with bowsprit. This is a good boat for light air, as the tall rig and bowsprit permit significantly larger sail area. But it is too heavy a boat for VERY light air. It will, however, satisfy your other wish for stability in heavier air. Make sure you get the fin keel (not the wing keel or shoal keel) if you intend to do any racing. Catalina 30's are good club racers, but are really cruising boats.
I own a Catalina 30 tall rig, with bowsprit. This is a good boat for light air, as the tall rig and bowsprit permit significantly larger sail area. But it is too heavy a boat for VERY light air. It will, however, satisfy your other wish for stability in heavier air. Make sure you get the fin keel (not the wing keel or shoal keel) if you intend to do any racing. Catalina 30's are good club racers, but are really cruising boats.
Hi and lets kick butt
FWIW, I have a 77 Catalina 30 tall rig with bow sprit I ALWAYS have a big grin on my face as the HUNTER boys TRY to catch me in light air(4 - 10 k). They cant begin to keep up even tho I fly a 135 genny and a full roach, full batten main. They have 150 or better genny and fancy mains stored in the mast. Some other makes also try, but generaly dont move as my 30 does. And it will take heavy air as long as you shorten sail over 20+. Was out in 35 gusting to 40 with reefed main and small furled genny( equiv. to a #3 jib) with no problem. Talk to the boys that sail San Fran bay as the know the performance. Good luck in your search, John
FWIW, I have a 77 Catalina 30 tall rig with bow sprit I ALWAYS have a big grin on my face as the HUNTER boys TRY to catch me in light air(4 - 10 k). They cant begin to keep up even tho I fly a 135 genny and a full roach, full batten main. They have 150 or better genny and fancy mains stored in the mast. Some other makes also try, but generaly dont move as my 30 does. And it will take heavy air as long as you shorten sail over 20+. Was out in 35 gusting to 40 with reefed main and small furled genny( equiv. to a #3 jib) with no problem. Talk to the boys that sail San Fran bay as the know the performance. Good luck in your search, John
Hi and lets kick butt
FWIW, I have a 77 Catalina 30 tall rig with bow sprit I ALWAYS have a big grin on my face as the HUNTER boys TRY to catch me in light air(4 - 10 k). They cant begin to keep up even tho I fly a 135 genny and a full roach, full batten main. They have 150 or better genny and fancy mains stored in the mast. Some other makes also try, but generaly dont move as my 30 does. And it will take heavy air as long as you shorten sail over 20+. Was out in 35 gusting to 40 with reefed main and small furled genny( equiv. to a #3 jib) with no problem. Talk to the boys that sail San Fran bay as the know the performance. Good luck in your search, John
FWIW, I have a 77 Catalina 30 tall rig with bow sprit I ALWAYS have a big grin on my face as the HUNTER boys TRY to catch me in light air(4 - 10 k). They cant begin to keep up even tho I fly a 135 genny and a full roach, full batten main. They have 150 or better genny and fancy mains stored in the mast. Some other makes also try, but generaly dont move as my 30 does. And it will take heavy air as long as you shorten sail over 20+. Was out in 35 gusting to 40 with reefed main and small furled genny( equiv. to a #3 jib) with no problem. Talk to the boys that sail San Fran bay as the know the performance. Good luck in your search, John
On Lake Michigan
the C-30 tall rig rates at 168 while the C-310 rates 186 under PHRF. I've only seen one C-310 rate, and that was not close to the 186 sec / mile rating when compared to my earlier C-30T rating of 168. Most of the go-slow equipment that Catalina added to the C-310 (the roller furling main and the non-adjustable solid vang being two big culprits) as well as the beamy stern make her a pig in light air. That's not saying that the C-30 is a greyhound (in light air and chop, she is a bugger to get and to keep moving), but based on my limited experience watching C-310s and more extensive experience racing a C-30T Mk II ('87) (I came in 4th in the '97 C-30 Nationals and won the 2000 Nationals), you can't go too far wrong with a C-30T Mark II as opposed to a C-310. Having said that, in the '87 C-30 Nationals, the two top boats were early Mark I boats with tillers, and in the light winds of that regatta, getting the weight out of the stern by moving the skipper forward seemed to help a lot (in the 2000 Nationals, the wind was blowing stink, and the entire first day everyone sailed with a reef in the main, and the main determinant for winning was being to keep the boat under control). Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909 Alchemist C-380 #71 H
the C-30 tall rig rates at 168 while the C-310 rates 186 under PHRF. I've only seen one C-310 rate, and that was not close to the 186 sec / mile rating when compared to my earlier C-30T rating of 168. Most of the go-slow equipment that Catalina added to the C-310 (the roller furling main and the non-adjustable solid vang being two big culprits) as well as the beamy stern make her a pig in light air. That's not saying that the C-30 is a greyhound (in light air and chop, she is a bugger to get and to keep moving), but based on my limited experience watching C-310s and more extensive experience racing a C-30T Mk II ('87) (I came in 4th in the '97 C-30 Nationals and won the 2000 Nationals), you can't go too far wrong with a C-30T Mark II as opposed to a C-310. Having said that, in the '87 C-30 Nationals, the two top boats were early Mark I boats with tillers, and in the light winds of that regatta, getting the weight out of the stern by moving the skipper forward seemed to help a lot (in the 2000 Nationals, the wind was blowing stink, and the entire first day everyone sailed with a reef in the main, and the main determinant for winning was being to keep the boat under control). Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909 Alchemist C-380 #71 H
On Lake Michigan
the C-30 tall rig rates at 168 while the C-310 rates 186 under PHRF. I've only seen one C-310 rate, and that was not close to the 186 sec / mile rating when compared to my earlier C-30T rating of 168. Most of the go-slow equipment that Catalina added to the C-310 (the roller furling main and the non-adjustable solid vang being two big culprits) as well as the beamy stern make her a pig in light air. That's not saying that the C-30 is a greyhound (in light air and chop, she is a bugger to get and to keep moving), but based on my limited experience watching C-310s and more extensive experience racing a C-30T Mk II ('87) (I came in 4th in the '97 C-30 Nationals and won the 2000 Nationals), you can't go too far wrong with a C-30T Mark II as opposed to a C-310. Having said that, in the '87 C-30 Nationals, the two top boats were early Mark I boats with tillers, and in the light winds of that regatta, getting the weight out of the stern by moving the skipper forward seemed to help a lot (in the 2000 Nationals, the wind was blowing stink, and the entire first day everyone sailed with a reef in the main, and the main determinant for winning was being to keep the boat under control). Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909 Alchemist C-380 #71 H
the C-30 tall rig rates at 168 while the C-310 rates 186 under PHRF. I've only seen one C-310 rate, and that was not close to the 186 sec / mile rating when compared to my earlier C-30T rating of 168. Most of the go-slow equipment that Catalina added to the C-310 (the roller furling main and the non-adjustable solid vang being two big culprits) as well as the beamy stern make her a pig in light air. That's not saying that the C-30 is a greyhound (in light air and chop, she is a bugger to get and to keep moving), but based on my limited experience watching C-310s and more extensive experience racing a C-30T Mk II ('87) (I came in 4th in the '97 C-30 Nationals and won the 2000 Nationals), you can't go too far wrong with a C-30T Mark II as opposed to a C-310. Having said that, in the '87 C-30 Nationals, the two top boats were early Mark I boats with tillers, and in the light winds of that regatta, getting the weight out of the stern by moving the skipper forward seemed to help a lot (in the 2000 Nationals, the wind was blowing stink, and the entire first day everyone sailed with a reef in the main, and the main determinant for winning was being to keep the boat under control). Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909 Alchemist C-380 #71 H
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